Shefali Luthra

Shefali Luthra, a healthcare policy reporter at The 19th, and Mark McClellan, director of the Duke-Margolis Center, delve into the judicial pushback against recent healthcare funding cuts. They discuss the impact of funding challenges on NIH grants and academic research. The conversation also highlights how federal judges are influencing health policy transparency and the implications for vulnerable populations amid potential Medicaid cuts. They emphasize the urgent need for strong leadership within health agencies to navigate these tumultuous changes.

Alice Miranda Ollstein, a health reporter for Politico, Shefali Luthra from The 19th, and Victoria Knight of Axios unpack the House's budget plan attacking Medicaid funding. They discuss the potential fallout of these cuts, especially with one in five Americans reliant on the program. The conversation then shifts to the political tussle in the Senate and the ongoing judicial battles affecting healthcare policies, from NIH funding to abortion access. The panelists also share must-read health policy stories, rounding out a compelling discussion on healthcare's future.

Shefali Luthra, author of Undue Burden, discusses life and death decisions post-Roe. The podcast covers Justice Alito's opinion on voting discrimination, new merch, legal cases, and the complexities of abortion restrictions.

Mary Ziegler, a law professor specializing in reproductive rights, and Shefali Luthra, a reproductive health reporter, dive into California's complex legal battles over abortion rights post-Roe v. Wade. They discuss how lawsuits are threatening providers and patients alike, the controversial decision of major retailers like Costco to avoid stocking abortion medications, and the tension between healthcare practices and religious beliefs. With a focus on the implications for both Californians and national trends, the conversation sheds light on the shifting landscape of reproductive healthcare.

Joanne Kenen, a health policy reporter from Johns Hopkins and Politico, along with Shefali Luthra from The 19th, and Sarah Karlin-Smith of the Pink Sheet bring vibrant insights into recent health controversies. They discuss controversial HHS appointments under President-elect Trump and the implications for health agencies. The group also examines a pivotal legal challenge to a Tennessee law restricting gender-affirming care for minors and potential FDA regulation shifts regarding vaping products. Additionally, they explore systemic issues in Idaho’s coroner system.